We all face obstacles in our lives. These are quite often moments that test our problem-solving and our perseverance.
When faced with these challenges, we can choose to let them destroy us, define us or develop us. The decisions we make about how to face our challenges have an impact on everyone.
As I reflect about my experience in education, it’s obvious that those who are most successful take these moments and use them to learn. Those who decide to have a “growth mind-set” are able to recognize that there is hard work ahead, but in that work, there is hope and tremendous value.
As the principal of a local elementary school, I see this passion for continuous improvement among all stakeholders across my campus. Several years ago, my school was defined by the state as a priority improvement school. While I was not the principal at the time, this news was deeply upsetting, embarrassing and frustrating across the community. No doubt there were areas in which our school could improve; there always will be ways in which we can get better.
In those painstaking years after the state label, we decided to allow this information to empower us to rethink our practices, reconnect with our inspiration for working in elementary schools and move forward with a plan to guide our improvement process. This work has been hard. It takes time, years in fact, to grow, reform and begin anew. While it has been hard, it’s also been extremely rewarding.
Any visitor to our campus this year would see an inspiring and thriving school where staff and students understand exactly where they are in their own learning. Staff and students are proud and confident in their thinking. They set rigorous goals and monitor themselves in accomplishing them. They celebrate success often and then set new goals.
Teachers have coordinated with students to develop classroom shared visions. The shared visions help set the tone of the learning community. Embedded in our handmade posters is the idea of growth mindset. In Mrs. Dunlop’s classroom, the shared vision is a central component of the learning culture. It says, “In our room, we try our best. We take ownership over our learning and choices. We are caring and respectful. We understand that everyone makes mistakes, but we don’t give up. We are working harder, getting smarter.”
As I walk the halls, I see more student-made posters that compare and contrast fixed versus growth mindsets. Ms. Cheever’s students say: “A fixed mindset learner looks like ... giving up, getting frustrated, someone else doing all the work, afraid to ask for help. A growth mindset learner looks like ... trying new things, looking for challenges, caring about what is learned, putting negative thoughts behind and working even harder.”
As I listen to students grapple with their learning, they make comments to each other: “Maybe you did not learn it ‘yet,’ but I will help you ... you will learn this!”; “Remember, there is no failure unless you give up!”; “My positive self-talk is telling me that I just need to stay calm, ask questions and I can learn this!”
So, what can parents and community members do to help support the ideas of continuous improvement in our schools and in your children?
Engage in partnerships with teachers and schools. Offer your unique skills and talents to discuss the ways in which people in your profession must also believe in the power of “yet.” Schools love developing partnerships within our community so that we can support relevance in learning.Talk about learning goals and support kids in accomplishing goals on their own. Have them share in the delight of hard work in order to accomplish their personal goals.In discussions, shift your language. Rather than asking, “What grade did you get?” inquire with questions like, “What did you learn? Why is that important? What did you most struggle with in the process and how did you work through your struggles?”There are many books and resources you can peruse about this concept. Seek out these resources and use them in your own life.The next time you are faced with an obstacle that might seem to destroy or define you, step back, use a growth mindset and let the situation develop you into an even better human being.
Vanessa Fisher is principal at Florida Mesa Elementary School in Durango School District 9-R. Reach her at vfisher@durango.k12.co.us
